GLITCH

Taking another Risk

BLUE TOWN

Wednesday, November 10, 2500 10:23 AM

"There they are! Die you mongrels!"

Pa dashed towards the three exposed boss-class madmen. But several madmen jumped and protected their leaders. Pa tried to break through but it was to no avail. It even pushed him back with just their numbers.

"Tch, these bastards sure are tough!"

"Pa, fall back!"

"Hmm…? Wait what the –"

Some of them tried to capture Pa while he's struggling against the madmen in front of him. When he heard my warning, he quickly took a quick step backwards. A madman was able to catch him by shirt, but he quickly repel it away by grabbing its arm, spins twice, and throws it towards the swarm.

"There's no end to this. We must slay their leaders now! Rylai, you think you can release another blast like before?" Pa asked while still fighting against the madmen.

"Mr. Locke, that offensive strike from Rylai has recoil damage", Sven said while panting. "Her arms are already stinging from pain after a couple of blasts."

"I'm sorry Rylai. I didn't know about it. Well then, I shall deal with them with my fists and kicks! Let's go Sven!"

"Yes!"

It's been a while since the Glitch manifested but even with the boss-class madmen are already in sight, it doesn't mean that we can defeat them so easily. Even with my full powered Burst Shot, I can't manage to slay them all. To make things worse, the madmen manifestation is still going on. Pa and Sven are already on their fatigued condition. The leaders slowly crept and secured a safer location while their henchmen are still coming at us in large numbers.

I think we won't get out of this mess without taking any risk. I guess it's time for me to use it. It's still a beta-type, and it has many demerits when using it, but I've got no choice. Come what may, I shall strike fear to these bastards.

"Wait you guys; cover me for a moment."

"Don't tell me that you will use your 100% Burst Shot again? It will put a heavy toll on your body!" Sven strongly disagreed on my suggestion.

Pa seconded Sven's sermon.

"Rylai, let's not be reckless…Surely we might be totally overwhelmed, but we're able to turn the tides earlier right? We'll at least hold them out until your arms will be fine."

That won't do.

I inhaled deeply, and let out a sigh. I finally stood up from crouching; I kept my tech gloves back to my inventory and took the item in my arsenal that I really don't want to use if it weren't for this scenario.

"Tech Gauntlet Beta…"

This gauntlet is more or less a more violent weapon than my tech gloves; while the gloves is more on poking purposes, this one's for the killing. The gauntlet has three power gems attached to it and served as its energy source, it just have the same design as a medieval knight gauntlet but it's not made of iron; it's made from tyranite, another rare existence along with the power gems that can only be found in the Island of Ruins; it's extremely durable and versatile. I tried firing it once during my practice at the traveler's route a week ago, and I'm the culprit behind the huge scorch seen there.

Now, while the two of them are fighting desperately, I shall take this opportunity to charge it up!

Rylai Lux

RG: 245/999

•••

The endless swarm keeps flocking at us. Darn it, I'm starting to feel tired, and my hand is already stinging after hacking and slashing the madmen. These guys can easily be killed, but the problem is their absurd quantity. I think I can only launch two more [Knight's Assault] but I intend to keep them in case. I already launched it five times, and thanks to that, I have a bit of room to breathe.

Mr. Locke, on the other hand, is fighting against them with close quarter combat. That battle style of his is more tiring than mine, and it's evidently seen on his face that he's already on his limit.

Should I launch my skill then?

"Both of you fall back when I gave you the signal!" Rylai exclaimed.

Will Rylai use another Burst Shot!? Is she insane? I already warned her earlier. I shall reprimand her once more!

…or so I thought.

When I took a quick peek on her, she's not wearing her usual gloves. Instead, a single gauntlet on her left arm was equipped, and her fingertips were sparking. She's holding her left wrist with her right hand to secure her aiming I guess.

This girl is always been reckless.

I smiled unconsciously, and used my skill. Let's match up with this lady in the lab coat's recklessness.

"[Knight's Assault]…!"

A tremendous blade of air pressure sliced those madmen who came in contact to it. Some of them got blown away; exposing once more the three leaders who tried to hide earlier.

"Nice one Sven! Now the two of you, fall back! Stay behind me or you'll be within my range!"

Mr. Locke and I nodded and immediately retreated while fighting against the incoming madmen. It's a hit-and-run tactic; we're on defensive.

As soon as we got behind her, she released an attack unlike any other burst shot I saw. It's like a chain of electricity engulfing the madmen. I can't really describe it in whole detail, for I could only see it for a moment, and the next thing I knew, the only thing that can be seen are lifeless madmen; some stood for a moment then plunged their face to the ground, the scorched street, and the crumbling walls of infrastructures.

"Is it over?" Mr. Locke wondered.

"I think so", I answered while still looking anxiously at the frightening result of Rylai's attack.

The bunker's entrance is just ten meters away from us, and the Glints seeing the seemingly impossible victory cried out of joy and shouted with triumph. The newly manifested madmen who came from that void in the sky turned to black smoke and eventually dissipated without a trace. I looked at my watch and smiled with my eyes closed.

[MADMEN] Glitch

Subjugated

The Glints rushed towards us; I guess they want to express their thanks. But then my attention quickly diverted to Mr. Locke's plea for assistance. On his arms, an unconscious Rylai is seen, with her left arm bleeding and scorched pretty badly. The weapon she used was probably stashed back to her inventory since I can only see the tech gloves.

As soon as the people noticed Rylai's condition, they panicked and rushed to her aid.

"Wait, what happened to her!? Gracious, her left arm must be treated immediately! Is there some medic among us?"

"Here! I am a medic! After I put first-aid, please bring her to the bunker's infirmary! Pronto…!"

Someone hurriedly fetched a stretcher; we laid her on it and I assisted on carrying her towards the bunker with haste.

•••

BUNKER, Blue Town

Wednesday, November 10, 2500 11:03 AM

Moments after Rylai was treated, we waited for the doctor to show up and tell us her condition. On the great hall, the crowd is concerned about Rylai and was praying for her safety. Mrs. Lyn is crying, and her husband keeps comforting her, saying that Rylai will be alright.

As for me, I got my whole body shivering from fear of having Rylai injured. Even though I promised myself to get stronger! Why…

…why did I let her experience such pain?

I went outside the medical area and went to a place where no one could see me.

Out of my frustration, I punched the wall with full force that put some cracks on it and made my fist a bit bloody.

"GODDAMMIT...!"